Compressor with interchangeable stage elements



June 21, 1949. w, TRUMPLER 2,474,077

COMPRESSOR WITH INTERCHANGEABLE STAGE ELEMENTS Filed Jan. 15, 1945 IN VEN TOR.

Patented June 21, 1949 COMPRESSOR WITH INTERCHANGEABLE STAGE ELEMENTS William E. Trumpler, Olean,

N. Y., assignor to Carrier Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 15, 1945, Serial No. 572,870

' 3 Claims. (01. 230-130) This invention relates to multi-stage centrifugal gas compressors, and more particularly to compressors adapted to handle gases, covering a wide range of capacities and compression.

The general object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal compressor with a series of stages adapted to be fitted, with binations of impellers, diffusers and other elements interchangeably as desired to provide different performances within a relatively wide range of capacity for a gas compressor unit.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a plurality of stages, each equipped with a fixed diil'user wall so arranged that the space between such walls remains the same while the interior elements between such walls are adapted to be varied to provide a difierent overall capacity for various combinations of stages of the compressor.

These and other features of the invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of one form of the invention to be read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing, similar designations referring to similar parts, numeral 2 generally designates a compressor having a plurality of stages 3, 4, 5 and 6. The compressor may be of the carrier centrifugal refrigeration type, although it is not limited thereto and the invention may be used in connection with any compressor handling gases whether of the refrigerant type or otherwise.

The compressor is suitably driven by a motor, turbine, or other prime mover, but this, as well as other elements serving to complete the system of which the compressor is a part are not illustrated, since they form no part of the invention.

Considerin the arrangement of stages of com pression, per se, to which this invention is directed, stage 3 is bounded at one side by diffuser wall 1. Similar diifuser walls 8, 9 and I respectively bound the extremities of stages 4, 5 and 8. The distance between walls 1 and 8, between 8 and 9, and between 9 and I0, are the same.

Each of the stages 4, 5 and 6 respectively contain impellers H, l2 and 13; also respectively contain inlet guide vanes l4, l5 and I6; also respectively contain return channels and guide vanes therefor l1, l8 and IS. The respective stages also contain diffuser passages 20, 2|, 22 and 23; and the respective size and conformation of these passages depends upon the shape and spacing of front difiuser walls 24, 25, 26 and 21. As may be noted, the size of difluser passages 20-23 varies for the different stages. Similarly, the

different com-j as well as the casings 2 width and shape of impellers, the size of return channels and guide vanes therefor, as well as the size of inlet passages and guide vanes therefor, will necessarily differ depending upon the desired capacity and design requirements of the compressor stages.

For different requirements, the same compressor casing may be employed with the diffuser elements having the position of walls 1, 8, 9 and I0 remaining unchanged. However, by fitting different diaphragm assemblies 28, 29 and 30 and interchanging different designed intake wall assemblies 3|, as well as corresponding impellers and guide vanes, applicant may vary the performance and capacity and compression ratio of a given compressor. Thus, applicant may use the same compressor casing to provide stages having different performance characteristics adapted to be used to carry out difierent design requirements; and the same casing may have its stages varied if requirements in the field dictate a change in capacity or compression ratio.

The compressor casing 2 in practice has a top half in the form of a machined casting fitting upon a bottom half. By lifting the top half, the interior of the compressor is exposed. It is then a simple matter to remove the intake wall assembly as Well as the diaphragm assemblies by re moving screws or similar fastening means 3"! The replacement of one assembly by another 0 different design will, of course, necessitate providing new impellers and guide vanes.

Such change-over can be effected simply an economically in the field so that a compressm of one capacity and compression ratio may b converted to a different capacity and compres sion ratio within a wide range.

Similarly, compressors may initially be built to desired different specifications so that stages of one design may be used in one compressor casing, whereas stages of a diiferent design for a different purpose may be used in an identical compressor casing, with consequent great saving in manufacture and flexibility in adaptation.

The use of uniform spacing for difl'erent stages makes it possible to prefabricate in advance the diaphragm assemblies, impellers and guide vanes and stock such elements so'that they may be assembled as desired whenever occasion requires.

I claim:

1. A centrifugal compressor for gases of the character described including a plurality of stages of compression, each stage occupying an equal distance within the casing of the compresscr, removable diaphragm assemblies for the respective stages, a fixed dii'fuser'wall serving an an outer wall for the diffuser passage of one stage and as an outer wall for the inlet passage of the succeeding stage. each diaphragm assembly in any stage being removable and replaceable by a diaphragm assembly of different conformation, the distance between diffuser walls of any two acent stages remaining the same regardless of changes in diaphragm bll 2. A centrifugal compressor according to claim 1 in which each stage occupies substantially the same axial distance within the compressor casing, an impeller in each of the stages. means for removing an impeller from any stage and replacing it with an impeller of diiierent width, the space between the diffuser walls of adjacent stages remaining the same regardless of changes of impellers in any of the stages.

9. A centrifugal compressor according to claim 1 in which each stage includes a removable dia- Dhragm assembly providin desired difluser passages. return channels and inlet passages, means for fitting interchangeably different diaphragm assemblies in any stage. the space hetweendifg fuser walls of adjacent stages remaining the same regardless of changes in diaphragm assemblies in any stage.

, WILLIAM n momma.

summons cr'rnn The following references are oi-record in the file of this patent:'

UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 16 Number Name We Akimoif Dec. 27, 1910 Sulzer Nov. 24. 1914 Jennings Feb. 9, 1915 Green June 6-, 1922 Brock ..'ian. 14, 1941 Bobb Nov. 27, 1945 

